Pumice-Crete
Pumice Crete is a cost effective load bearing natural wall system. With pumice crete there is no need for vertical wood framing. All of the load is supported by the monolithic pour of pumice. Pumice is a locally available (in northern New Mexico) volcanic mineral. It is mixed with a small amount of Portland cement and poured on site into concrete forms, which create your walls. Local concrete companies can bring the pumice crete mixture on a concrete truck to your site, making this a very easy building technique.
Thermal Performance:
- Medium R-value (1.25 per inch).
- High thermal mass.
- Typical pumice construction provides an R-20 wall.
Characteristics:
- Medium breathability, if breathable plasters are used.
- Load bearing, no additional framing needed.
- Pumice crete accepts earthen clay based plasters and cementatious plasters with out wire netting.
- Monolithic poured wall of pumice and cement mixture.
Construction Techniques:
- Regular concrete forms are used to form a 16" wall. A concrete bond beam is required to carry roof loads.
